Milwaukee violent crime task force unveils new office space

MILWAUKEE - Over $600,000 in federal funding has been poured into a renovated space inside the Milwaukee Police Department’s downtown headquarters.  

Members of the Milwaukee Area Violent Crime Task Force will be using these renovated offices in an effort to tackle some of the biggest problems plaguing the city. 

Officials decided it was time the task force have a space in the central part of the city to increase a cross-collaboration between municipal and federal partners. The Milwaukee Police Department was a perfect fit.  

"The time is not any easier right now, in regards to the challenges of violent crime within our city," said Acting Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman said. 

2020 proved to be a challenging year in more ways than one. 2020 saw record homicide numbers and non-fatal shooting numbers for the City of Milwaukee. Numbers the new year has not seen an improvement in.  

"We understand that working towards solutions comes through partnerships," said Acting Chief Norman.

To tackle some of the most pressing crimes in the city over $600,000 federal dollars has been invested in renovating a space within the Milwaukee Police Department. The space will be for members of the Milwaukee area violent crime task force, which has been established since 2013.  

"Last year in 2020 there were 129 arrests made by the task force and 48 indictments," said Robert Hughes, Special Agent In Charge with the FBI.

Members include those from the FBI, the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office and the Milwaukee, Wauwatosa and West Allis police departments.

The space comes equipped with new computers, a conference room and monitors.  

"The new space you are going to see today really helps further these efforts by making things more efficient," Acting U.S. Attorney Richard Frohling said.

"We’re tracking this and we’re tracking where it’s occurring and are trying to develop strategies to disrupt this behavior and prevent it," Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm said. 

One message given at today’s press conference is law enforcement can’t tackle the problem of violent crime alone. They stressed the importance of the public sending tips, saying if you see something say something.